coy

American  

[koi] / kɔɪ /

adjective

coyer, coyest

1. artfully or affectedly shy or reserved; slyly hesitant; coquettish.

2. shy; modest.

   Synonyms:

   demure, bashful, diffident, retiring

3. showing reluctance, especially when insincere or affected, to reveal one's plans or opinions, make a commitment, or take a stand.

   The mayor was coy about his future political aspirations.

4. Archaic. disdainful; aloof.

5. Obsolete. quiet; reserved.

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verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to act in a coy manner.

verb (used with object)

Obsolete.

1. to quiet; soothe.

2. to pat; caress.

coy ¹ British  

/ kɔɪ /

adjective

1. (usually of a woman) affectedly demure, esp in a playful or provocative manner

2. shy; modest

3. evasive, esp in an annoying way

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Coy. ² British  

abbreviation

1. company

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Other Word Forms

• coyish adjective
• coyishness noun
• coyly adverb
• coyness noun
• overcoy adjective
• overcoyness noun
• uncoy adjective
• uncoyness noun

Etymology

Origin of coy

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French coi, quoy “calm,” Old French quei, from unattested Vulgar Latin quētus, for Latin quiētus quiet

Example Sentences

When the sun fell behind the tallest tree tonight, the Afterlife would not be so coy.

From Literature

United are understandably coy about this, but with good reason.

From BBC

“Not because I was trying to be coy or unavailable. Because I was a mess. Am a mess.”

From Literature

But the US and Israel are far more coy on what is happening in cyber-space.

From BBC

In an era of increasingly coy, event-specific signature cocktails — and the quiet pressure of an open bar — there’s something deeply charming about a punch bowl.

From Salon

Related Words

• bashful
• evasive
• self-effacing
• skittish
• timid